"The Prisoner? Please. Doctor Who, who? HBO's critically acclaimed dramas? Whatever. They ain't got nothing on Buffy the Vampire Slayer."
Such statements (from its rabid fans) have made Joss Whedon's often adroitly written and surprisingly mature series one of the most hated in [genre] television history. Many of the people who dismiss it have only seen a couple of episodes (or are judging it by its title). I used to be one of them, too. I watched Buffy occasionally during its original run in the late 90's, but, unable to understand and follow the seasonal story arcs, eventually gave up on it. That is, until I purchased the first season on DVD earlier this summer.
Yes, Buffy has won me over. Sometimes I find myself so invested in its characters and mythology that I scare myself. The series never takes itself too seriously (though there are times it doesn't take itself seriously enough) and there is a great deal of humor (and horror, don't worry!). Whedon is experimental and tries out different things -- genre-mashing, alternate reality, lesbianism, even pantomime -- and succeeds most of the time.
I'm halfway through the fourth season, which has been rather disappointing so far (except for the episodes "The Harsh Light of Day" and the magnificent "Hush.") I've also started to follow its spin-off series, Angel, which is just as good.
The first two seasons of Buffy the Vampire Slayer are available for viewing on Hulu. If Twilight's emasculated vampires aren't doing it for you, give it a try.
Such statements (from its rabid fans) have made Joss Whedon's often adroitly written and surprisingly mature series one of the most hated in [genre] television history. Many of the people who dismiss it have only seen a couple of episodes (or are judging it by its title). I used to be one of them, too. I watched Buffy occasionally during its original run in the late 90's, but, unable to understand and follow the seasonal story arcs, eventually gave up on it. That is, until I purchased the first season on DVD earlier this summer.
Yes, Buffy has won me over. Sometimes I find myself so invested in its characters and mythology that I scare myself. The series never takes itself too seriously (though there are times it doesn't take itself seriously enough) and there is a great deal of humor (and horror, don't worry!). Whedon is experimental and tries out different things -- genre-mashing, alternate reality, lesbianism, even pantomime -- and succeeds most of the time.
I'm halfway through the fourth season, which has been rather disappointing so far (except for the episodes "The Harsh Light of Day" and the magnificent "Hush.") I've also started to follow its spin-off series, Angel, which is just as good.
The first two seasons of Buffy the Vampire Slayer are available for viewing on Hulu. If Twilight's emasculated vampires aren't doing it for you, give it a try.
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